FALL 2026 Practice Period
September 2nd - November 8th
Overall Application & Registration
2026 Practice Period Events - Application for Practice Period
New this year: all-one-registration for Practice Period (except for the closing sesshin at Samish). Use the registration form on this application to sign up for the events you'll attend this year. You can RSVP, register, and make your contributions all in one go. The closing sesshin at Samish Island requires separate registration.
- Opening Ceremony - Wednesday September 2nd, Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple & Online. Drop in.
- Opening Sesshin - evening of Friday September 5th through Monday the 9th (Labor Day). Sansui-ji & Online. Requires registration.
- Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday Morning sit online, Wednesday evenings & Sunday morning sits Sansui-ji & Online. Drop in.
- Shuso's Class on “Embodied Zen & 12 Step Practice”. Monday evenings 6:30pm - 8:00pm: September 14th-October 26th. Sansui-ji & Online. Requires registration.
- Tea with the Shuso - arranged with the shuso & benji, many time slots will be available. Self Sign-Up.
- One Day Retreat - Sunday October 18th (replaces regular Sunday morning practice). Requires registration.
About Practice Period
Practice Period is a time in which Zen students practice intensively together. Historically, practice period started with the rains retreats of the early Buddhist nuns and monks when they could not travel due to heavy rains. During that time they settled down for more intensive practice.
Although we don't live in monasteries, each winter in the spirit of those in monastic practice, we settle our busy lives in order to intensify our practice. We bring our mindfulness and Dharma practice to the foreground of our lives more than usual. Annual practice periods have been an essential part of Zen practice for a thousand years and an important part of Red Cedar Zen for over 20 years.
In the center of the mandala of Practice Period is the head student, or shuso, who serves as the center of the sangha wheel giving classes, Dharma talks, and meets in small groups with practice period students over tea.
Oryoki Meals:
You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at the Opening, Middle and Closing Sesshins. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets.
Shuso: This year's Shuso is Juriki Samuel Senerchia. Learn more about Sam at the Shuso's Class page.
Practice Period Theme: We will be guided this year in a study of "Embodied Zen and 12-Step Practice" supported by Shuso Juriki Sam.
Location: Events may be in-person, on-line or a combination. Check individual events for details. Information for attending in-person or online can be found on the Our Zendo page of the website.
Signing Up for Practice Period - New Streamlined Process
Click the registration button on the left to apply for practice period, express your intentions, register for most of the practice period events, and make your financial contributions all in a single process.
If you will be attending the Closing Sesshin on Samish Island that must still be registered for separately.
Notes: if you decide later to add an additional event you can go to that event and sign up for it separately. If you are unable to attend any event please contact the registrar at registrar@recedarzen.org or the administrator at admin@redcedarzen.org. You may also leave a voice mail at 360-389-3444.
2026 Practice Period Schedule
